The Sewing Room

Kandipandi

Went to visit mum on Sunday and she gave me a huge bag of cream cotton to use up, think it may have been curtains in a previous life.
It came with a trade off though, she gave me her old microwave heat pad (not sure whats in it, it looked like chopped nuts mixed with lavender!!!) that she uses all the time and asked me to make her another as it was dirty and she couldn't wash it.
I made a very simple cotton replacement and made another fleece cover, I made a virtually identical rice bag one a while back in December when I first got my machine.

I think I will make some more of these but I need to get my filling right. I would like some lavender and suitable rice, I know I have asked before, but when I used plain rice the bag was damp once 'warmed' and I was worried that the rice would go mouldy and stinky so I chucked it in the bin
Have you guys used plain rice before, if so what kind?
Many of the guides suggest some kind of wheat or grains but I have no idea where i would get this from!
TIA x

sethsgran

I agree it is very expensive. When I bought mine I was just coming out of a really bad depression and I was moving forward for the first time. I was coping with things that had previously put me in hospital so going to a craft show etc and then buying this was my personal pat on the back. The pattern has all instructions for the doll plus outfits.

How about this book.... http://www.amazon.co.uk/Toys-Knit-Tracy-Chapman/dp/1843404702/ref=ed_oe_p and then use the colours etc from AK

Shadowsfall

Thanks Sunshine12 for the welcome and the advice. I'll keep my eyes open!

I've suddenly been inspired to make a new bag after seeing the great pics of the last two so cheers for the inspiration guys!

shaz_mum_of__2

Hi guys

A newbie to the thread but been sewing for years but only occaisonally and only small projects

I often use duvets as a source of fabric a single is about 4 metres of fabric @rg0s have some nice ones i am going to buy this

http://www.argos.co.uk/static/Product/partNumber/1194427/Trail/searchtext%3EDUVET+COVER.htm

It will end up as Drawstring PE type bags for kids , cushions pencil cases etc i am going to try a crayon roll too.


Khandipandi i use pearl barley in my heat packs cheaper than rice at the minute

Shaz

karmacookie

sethsgran wrote: »

I agree it is very expensive. When I bought mine I was just coming out of a really bad depression and I was moving forward for the first time. I was coping with things that had previously put me in hospital so going to a craft show etc and then buying this was my personal pat on the back. The pattern has all instructions for the doll plus outfits.

How about this book.... http://www.amazon.co.uk/Toys-Knit-Tracy-Chapman/dp/1843404702/ref=ed_oe_p and then use the colours etc from AK

This one looks good too!

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Babes-Wool-Beautiful-Fashion-Accessories/dp/1844485099/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1269939725&sr=1-1

hart44

Kandipandi wrote: »

Hart44 ~ don't know how I missed it yesterday but I have just seen your buttercup bag - It's beautiful! I love the fabric you have used on the outside but I love the inside even more.
Its like a little secret, you open it ups to find that lovely lace at the bottom.

I have some far quarters left I must make myself on of these soon.

Thank you Kandi I was a bit worried it would be difficult to do but I suprised myself :rotfl:and managed it with not too many problems. I did spend a lot of time working out how to fit the bottom of the band onto the top of the bag but as soon as it came to me the rest just fell into place.
The pillow case was a wedding present from my 1st wedding (been married & divorced twice, not my fault) that was just over 20yrs ago, not sure why I kept them, prob because of the top, but they were still nice and white so thought it was about time to reuse them as the lining.

I have put off doing heat pads as Im not sure about what to put in them, I have tried finding out but not much info out there so I too will be grateful if anyone can help

Hi Shadowfall, the bags are a great way to start sewing, I started with a simple tote bag, then added a lining to the next and now was brave enough to do the buttercup one.

Sunshine12

If anyone is doing the buttercup bag but wants it a bit bigger here is a tutorial for making alterations to resize it and adding a mobile phone pocket.

Hart, you have definately inspired me to try it. Did you use interfacing? If yes, what weight did you use?


http://www.craftster.org/forum/index.php?topic=298323.0;all

Edit: Here is a rice bag tutorial. Ive had a scour on web and pearl barley seems to work too.

http://sew-funky.blogspot.com/2008/02/tutorial-make-rice-bag.html

hart44

Sunshine12 wrote: »

If anyone is doing the buttercup bag but wants it a bit bigger here is a tutorial for making alterations to resize it and adding a mobile phone pocket.

Hart, you have definately inspired me to try it. Did you use interfacing? If yes, what weight did you use?


http://www.craftster.org/forum/index.php?topic=298323.0;all

Edit: Here is a rice bag tutorial.

http://sew-funky.blogspot.com/2008/02/tutorial-make-rice-bag.html

No I didnt use any interfaceing, my fabric was stiff enough (it is Cath Kidston). If I do anothe r one I think I will use some, prob a medium but I did put a little pocket in it:D on the other side to the embroidered bit.

I forgot to add that I found 3 large baby cloths in the CS, they are like a muslin type cloth and I thought they would make idea liners for the heat bags and were only 99p. It looked like one had been used but the other 2 were new

craftlady

Finally got round to posting a picture of my dd(13) bag that she made for school.



She designed it herself to take to her musical theatre classes. I helped with a little bit of measuring. It has a pocket at the back to put her dance shoes in and has really long handles so she can wear it across her body. I think she has done a really good job and she got A*.:T

Sunshine12

craftlady wrote: »

Finally got round to posting a picture of my dd(13) bag that she made for school.



She designed it herself to take to her musical theatre classes. I helped with a little bit of measuring. It has a pocket at the back to put her dance shoes in and has really long handles so she can wear it across her body. I think she has done a really good job and she got A*.:T

You daughter made this? :eek: Thats superb! Love it! :T
Absolutely love the fact that the girl is on stage. My niece would kill for this bag!!